artificial Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective contrived by art rather than nature
    unreal.
    • artificial flowers
    • artificial flavoring
    • an artificial diamond
    • artificial fibers
    • artificial sweeteners
  2. adjective satellite artificially formal
    contrived; stilted; hokey.
    • that artificial humility that her husband hated
    • contrived coyness
    • a stilted letter of acknowledgment
    • when people try to correct their speech they develop a stilted pronunciation
  3. adjective satellite not arising from natural growth or characterized by vital processes

WordNet

Ar`ti*fi"cial adjective
Etymology
L. artificialis, fr. artificium: cf. F. artificiel. See Artifice.
Definitions
  1. Made or contrived by art; produced or modified by human skill and labor, in opposition to natural; as, artificial heat or light, gems, salts, minerals, fountains, flowers.
    Artificial strife Lives in these touches, livelier than life. Shak.
  2. Feigned; fictitious; assumed; affected; not genuine. "Artificial tears." Shak.
  3. Artful; cunning; crafty. Obs. Shak.
  4. Cultivated; not indigenous; not of spontaneous growth; as, artificial grasses. Gibbon.

Webster 1913